The UK National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has confirmed the appointment of David Knott as its Chief Executive Officer following a four-month stint in an interim role.
Knott joined the charity in October 2020 after a career in public service, including serving as the Director for Civil Society and Youth, responsible for policy on charities, volunteering, young people, philanthropy, dormant assets, impact investment and mission-led business.
The former civil servant took on the interim CEO role in June 2021 following the departure of Dawn Austwick after seven years in the role.
Knott commented on his appointment: “Over the last five years, we’ve backed more than 72,000 community projects through over £3.4bn of grants. This money is life-changing for people and communities, which is why I am delighted to be leading The National Lottery Community Fund into the next, exciting new chapter.”
In his first move as CEO, Knott has commissioned the ‘Putting Communities First’ report, as the NLCF prioritises community support following the pandemic. The report sets out the organisation’s agenda to support local communities over the next 12 months.
“As we build back from the pandemic, my commitment is to put communities first,” Knott added.
“The National Lottery Community Fund will be there to support people and communities to prosper and thrive, and we’ll redouble our efforts to have the greatest possible impact we can across the UK.”
He has also worked on the international stage, working as an advisor on governance and public policy in more than a dozen countries, and in the private sector.
Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of The NLCF, added: “I am delighted to welcome David Knott as the new Chief Executive. He will lead our organisation forward and ensure that it is confident, accountable and purposeful.
“National Lottery players raise £36m a week for good causes – we are privileged to be trusted shared custodians of this public money and to be supporting communities as they emerge from a challenging period in which the true value of community was demonstrated so vividly. We will be there to support – putting communities first in all we do. To achieve this, we must be able to demonstrate the difference we are making and to use impact evidence to shape our future direction.”
